County-level & Sub-prefectural city in Hainan, People's Republic of China
Photo: STW932, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
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WSLC, 文昌卫星发射中心, 文昌航天发射场, 文昌航天城 Wenchang Aerospace City
This is a former sub-orbital aerospace test center and being upgraded. It is the fourth and southernmost space vehicle launch facility (spaceport) of China. It was selected for its low latitude, only 19 degrees North, which allows a substantial increase of payload mass, necessary for the future manned program, space station and deep space exploration program. Therefore, it will replace the obsolete Xichang Satellite Launch Center upon completion of upgrade works. Furthermore, it will be capable of launching the new heavy lift CZ-5 booster under development. Rail tracks of inland Space Centers will not allow the delivery of the new 5 meters core boosters, which Wenchang will, as it is served by a sea port. Chinese nationals may tour the site. but due to reasons of national security, there is a ban on visits by foreign tourists. Residents of Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan are also not welcome here.
文昌孔庙
One of the best preserved examples of ancient architecture in Hainan. The temple was built during the 11th century, and has undergone repeated renovation and expansion since the Ming Dynasty.
铜鼓岭
Tonggu Ridge provides an easy escape from the busy downtown of Wenchang and has a stunning view of the coastline of Hainan island covered by hundreds of thousands of coconut trees. Special sightseeing cars are available to take visitors to the summit for ¥25 (or ¥45 for a return trip). You can also choose to walk. The road is well-constructed and paved and it only takes a 40-minute walk to go to the top. To avoid troubles, you better arrange when the drivers should take you back to Longlou. As of 2019, Tonggu Ridge is designated a restricted military area due to the presence of a small army base near the summit. Unfortunately, this means that foreign tourists are not allowed to visit.
东郊椰林, Dongjiao Coconut Plantation
A beautiful quiet spot to spend a few days. There are about 500,000 coconut trees here amongst winding footpath, small huts, sunshine and the sandy beach. Enjoy the seafood in the restaurants at the shore and try different kinds of beach and sea sports or just have a stroll along the footpath. If it happens to be a breezy day, the leaves of coconut trees will let out a sound of pleasing. There are a good number of basic guesthouses and restaurants along with a resort on the sea. English is not spoken, but the local people are friendly and eager to help.
高隆湾
White-sand bathing beach
八门湾红树林, 八门湾国家海上森林公园 Bamen Bay National Sea Forest Park
宋庆龄祖居, 宋氏祖居 Song Family Ancestral Home
古松村
Ancient, unique, beautiful, non-commercial traditional Hainanese village, a hidden gem. The village houses are bright and close to beautiful undiscovered and isolated beaches.
文南老街, 文南路 Wennan Road
Wenchang's best preserved historical street. The street is lined with old qilou buildings (骑楼) dating from the 1920s.
Has 41 standard rooms with lake or golf course view, Chinese cuisines, coffee lounge, lobby bar, outdoor terrace, business center pro-shop and a 16-bay driving range.
Experience the shallow water diving for wild abalone. Abalone are not bi-valves like clams or oysters. They are snails. Gross, yet cool. The farm produces almost 100,000 abalone a year. The water is changed daily, dumped out through fine membranes to catch the microscopic babies which are then laid back in clean water. The hoses are also used to inoculate the tubs with algae-plugs of green stuff are allowed to form in the hoses and then blown into the tub to make seaweed slushies. Visitors can buy the fresh live abalone at a very reasonable local farmer price (around ¥100 per 400g!) Most of the abalone production is delivered fresh. Live abalone can survive for 30 hours.
Located in the coconut plantations, directly at the sea. Some of the huts have a direct view over the shore. Limited activities to do, but very nice beach - like paradise.
港门旅店
Right next to Prima Resort, this family run hotel has a free kitchen which is particularly useful in a place where you don't have many choices on restaurants. Like many other hotels, there are not much travelers so expect to get some discounts for extended stay.
By bus
In Haikou, buses to Wenchang mainly depart from Haikou East Bus Station. There are buses not only to Wencheng (Wenchang's main urban center) but also to several other towns in Wenchang.
By train
By Cycling
The better route is Haikou-Fenglai (蓬萊鎮)-Nanyang (南阳)-Wenchang. The route is 90 km and it's much more pleasant.
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Haikou (Meilan) · International · HAK
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